Personal accidents and liability for children

Accidents can happen anywhere, at home, at school, at a summer camp, or during a sports activity. In this guide, we present a solution that combines personal accident insurance with liability insurance, ensuring protection when the child has an accident, but also for the family when the child causes damage to third parties.

Discover what these solutions typically cover, the main advantages, and how to choose the most suitable protection for your family.

Note: This guide is purely informative and educational. The coverages, exclusions, capitals, and deductibles described here are examples and may vary depending on the insurer and the product. In case of doubt or discrepancy, the General and Specific Conditions and the Insurance Product Information Document (IPID) of each policy always prevail.

1. What is personal accident insurance (PA)

It is insurance that can protect the child in case they suffer an accident that causes physical injuries, temporary or permanent disability, or other consequences provided for in the policy.

Commonly included coverages:

• Medical and hospital treatment expenses resulting from an accident (consultations, hospitalization, medication, nursing, physiotherapy, among others)
• Compensation for permanent disability resulting from an accident
• Capital for death as a consequence of an accident

Additional coverages:

• Daily allowance for hospitalization
• Transportation or repatriation expenses
• Psychological support

Note: Additional coverages vary depending on the product and the insurer and may be subject to optional contracting.

2. What is liability insurance (LI)

It generally covers the damages that the child (or, in some policies, the household) unintentionally causes to third parties (physical and/or material damages).

In practice, if the child breaks a window, damages someone else's equipment, or causes an accident that results in material or bodily harm, the insurance can cover the indemnity costs, within the contracted limits and subject to the applicable deductible.

What you should pay attention to:

• Some policies extend coverage to the household
• In Portugal, parents or guardians can be held civilly liable for damages caused by minor children. This insurance helps protect the family assets in these situations
• Check if you already have liability coverage in your multi-risk home insurance to avoid overlaps

3. Why combine the two insurances?

When contracted together, personal accident insurance and liability insurance (PA + LI) protect different but complementary situations:

• Personal Accidents: protects the child when they get hurt
• Liability: protects the family's assets when the child causes damage to third parties

In proposals that already include liability coverage in the same policy, you can have more comprehensive protection without needing to contract additional insurance, which can make the solution more advantageous. The cost and conditions always depend on the chosen product and the insurer.

4. But isn't school insurance enough?

School insurance is important and has its own role, but it has limits that need clarification. Therefore, the PA + LI combination is often contracted as a complement, not as a substitute, for school insurance.

What school insurance typically covers:

• Student accidents on the way to and from school and during school periods/activities
• Leisure activities organized by the school, even during vacation periods
• Medical assistance, medication, and transportation associated with the accident

What school insurance usually does not cover:

• Damages caused by the child to third parties
• Theft or damage to personal equipment (mobile phone, tablet, computer, glasses)
• Activities and camps not organized by the school
• Accidents in private contexts (weekends, family vacations)

Note: School insurance and PA + LI insurance have different scopes and can coexist. Before making any decision about school insurance, confirm the obligations applicable to the school and the student, so you don't end up without protection in relevant situations.

5. Most common exclusions (PA + LI)

• Diseases not resulting from an accident and pre-existing conditions
• Acts committed under the influence of alcohol above the legal limit or drugs outside medical prescription
• Self-inflicted injuries and intentional or malicious acts
• Acts of gross negligence or unlawful behavior
• Some risky activities, which may require specific coverage

Note: Exclusions will always vary from company to company. Before contracting, always consult the General and Specific Conditions and the IPID of the policy.

6. Ages and duration

• Ages: can usually be contracted for children from 0 to 18 years old (minimum and maximum age subject to the insurer's conditions)
• Temporary or annual duration: you can contract the insurance for a specific activity or event (such as a summer camp, a weekend, or the entire summer) or opt for annual coverage

7. Necessary documents

As a rule, insurers request:

• Child's Citizen Card
• Citizen Card of the policyholder (father, mother, or guardian)
• Address and contacts
• Indication of activities to be practiced, when applicable (e.g., summer camp, sports)
• Completion of the proposal/risk declaration
• IBAN

8. How to report a claim

1. Report the accident to the insurer as soon as possible
2. Call the support line or the mediator
3. Gather and send the clinical documentation: medical reports, exams, and invoices/receipts of expenses
4. In case of liability, describe the damage caused, take photos of the incident, and identify the injured party
5. Keep proof of all expenses for reimbursement

Note: The insurer's response times may vary; generally, they can take up to 15 business days, depending on what is provided in the policy and the law.

9. How much does it cost

The cost of insurance always depends on the child's age, the chosen coverages, the contracted period, the insured capital, and the activities practiced. For this reason, the premium varies from case to case.

To find out how much you will pay, do a personalized simulation, which allows you to adjust the coverages to the needs of the child and the family.

At CrediSegur, we offer simulations without mediation costs or commitment, so you can compare the proposals of the insurers we work with and choose the one that suits your case.

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Legal and regulatory information

Commercial communication. This guide is informative and does not replace the General and Specific Conditions or the IPID of each insurance.

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